Mountain Plover

Overview

NTStatus

Near Threatened

aPopulation

over 20,000

bScientific Name

Charadrius montanus

cHeight

5-9 inches

dWeight

3.6 ounces

CLength

8-10 inches

eHabitats

Grasslands

Mountain plovers are one of only 12 grassland birds endemic to the western Great Plains. They nest across the western Great Plains and Rocky Mountain states, from the Canadian border to northern Mexico, and winter in California, southern Arizona, Texas and Mexico. Mountain plovers only nest in areas with sparse vegetation or bare ground, such as prairie dog towns. Loss of these areas because of crop planting or the removal of prairie dogs, is the biggest threat to the mountain plover's population.

Since 2000, WWF has worked in this part of the country to conserve and restore the Northern Great Plains' natural heritage and native wildlife. So which animals call this beautiful region home, and why do they matter?

Threats

Known only to survive in cultivation, in captivity or as a naturalised population

CR

Critically Endangered

Facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the Wild

EN

Endangered

Facing a high risk of extinction in the Wild

VU

Vulnerable

Facing a high risk of extinction in the Wild

NT

Near Threatened

Likely to qualify for a threatened category in the near future

LC

Least Concern

Does not qualify for Critically Endangered, Endangered, Vulnerable, or Near Threatened

The loss of nesting habitat is the biggest threat to mountain plovers. Prairie dog colony extermination, lack of natural fire regimes, and the conversion of native prairie for agriculture and energy development all contribute to habitat loss and change.

What WWF Is Doing

WWF works with researchers and landowners to understand the needs of mountain plovers and to assess how land management and climate change impact the bird.